STATE OF WASHINGTON FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board
917 Lakeridge Way
P.O. Box 43430
Olympia, WA 98504-3430
(360)753-7800

www.hecb.wa.gov

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of Washington.

Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification Conditional Loan Scholarship

The Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification Conditional Loan Scholarship was created to help school districts recruit teachers in subjects and geographic areas with teacher shortages. In return for conditional loan scholarships, participants agree to teach in specified subject shortage areas in Washington K-12 public schools.

Eligibility and How to Apply

For information about eligibility and how to apply, contact the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board.

Washington Professional Educator Standards Board
Phone: 360-725-6276

Note: If you are a teacher in a low-income school or subject matter shortage area, you may be eligible for a cancellation or deferment of your student loans through a federal program. For more information, contact the
U.S. Department of Education.

American Indian Endowed Scholarship

The American Indian Endowed Scholarship helps financially needy students with close social and cultural ties to a Native American community to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

Have demonstrated financial need based on a completed FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Be a Washington state resident
Enroll full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student in an eligible program
Not be pursuing a degree in theology

You can use the scholarships at public two- and four-year colleges and universities, and accredited independent colleges, universities, and career schools in Washington.

How do I Apply?

Complete the application form and send it to the HECB, postmarked by February 1. Decisions will be made by March.

What is the scholarship amount?

Scholarship awards range from about $500 to $2,000. Approximately 15 students are selected each year to receive the awards. These students are eligible to receive their college scholarships for up to five years.

For more information contact:

American Indian Endowed Scholarship Program
Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board
Phone: 360.753.7843

Washington College Bound Scholarship

Overview

This four-year scholarship covers the cost of college tuition, fees and books for low-income students who sign a pledge in 7th or 8th grade promising to graduate from high school and to demonstrate good citizenship.

This program provides hope and incentive for students and families who otherwise might not consider college as an option because of its cost.

Eligibility

Seventh and eighth grade students from families eligible for free or reduced-priced lunches who sign the pledge may participate. Their family income must remain at 65 percent or less of the state’s median income by the time of high school graduation to permit a scholarship award.

Reason for the Program

To motivate and prepare these students to participate and succeed in postsecondary education. Washington ranks 32nd nationally in the percentage of low-income students who participate in postsecondary education. These students will represent 33 percent of the high school graduating class within 10 years.

This is occurring at a time when the state’s need for highly educated and highly skilled workers is growing rapidly. Without intervention, 72 percent of the 56,000 low-income seventh and eighth graders are unlikely to enroll or even aspire to attend college.

Process

The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) is administering the College Bound Scholarship program. By December 2007, materials will be sent to all middle schools with a link to the online application. In the meantime, OSPI and the HECB encourage you to share this information with your students and their families.

Educational Opportunity Grant

The Educational Opportunity Grant (EOG) program provides $2,500 grants to financially needy, place bound Washington residents as an incentive to complete a bachelor's degree at an eligible four-year college. Students must have already earned an associate of arts or sciences degree or achieved junior class standing.

Eligibility

Students who meet the following criteria will be considered for the grant:

Have place bound circumstances. The program defines place bound as having personal barriers, such as family or employment commitments, health concerns, financial inability, or other similar factors, that make it difficult to continue an education at a four-year college. In general, place bound students either have to relocate or are unable to relocate to attend college due to personal barriers.
Be a Washington resident.
Have at least junior standing before your first term of enrollment at an eligible four-year college - by either completing an associate of arts or sciences degree, or earned credits.
Have financial need, as determined by the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend.
Be a junior or senior transfer student. You cannot receive EOG to continue at your current college.

Eligible Colleges and Universities

Antioch University
Bastyr University
Central Washington University
Cornish College of the Arts
Eastern Washington University
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle University
University of Puget Sound
University of Washington
Walla Walla College
The Evergreen State College
Gonzaga University
Pacific Lutheran University
Saint Martin’s University
Heritage University
Whitman College
Whitworth College

Award

Grants are $2,500 per academic year and can be renewed for one additional academic year. Your grant may be lower, if your financial need as certified by your college is less than $2,500, or if you do not attend for the full academic year.

If you have extenuating circumstances and cannot complete your degree within two full academic years (four semesters or six quarters), you may be eligible for additional help if state funds are available.

How to Apply

You must apply before you enroll. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who meet the eligibility criteria.

Currently, the Educational Opportunity Grant is out of funding for the 2007-2008 academic year. However, we still encourage you to apply!

Applications determined eligible, with planned enrollments for winter, spring, or summer 2008, will be put on a waiting list for additional funding. If funding is made available at a later date, you may be notified of an award. If you plan to enroll during the 2007-08 academic year (winter 2008, spring 2008, or summer 2008) complete the application form

Funding is available for 2008-2009. Students are ineligible to receive the EOG to continue their education at the college they are currently attending.

If you plan to enroll during the 2008-09 academic year (fall 2008, winter 2009, spring 2009, or summer 2009) complete this application form:

For more information:

Educational Opportunity Grant
Higher Education Coordinating Board
Phone: 360.596-4803

GET Ready for Math and Science Conditional Scholarship Program

Overview

This four-year scholarship was established for the purpose of providing high achievers in math and science an opportunity to attend college and major in a qualified math or science program. In return for the conditional scholarships, participants commit to work in a qualified math or science occupation in Washington state for three years.

Eligibility

High school students will be eligible to apply for the conditional scholarship by:

Achieving a level four on the math or science portion of the tenth grade WASL; or
Scoring above the ninety-fifth percentile on the math section of either the SAT or ACT; and
Having a family income at or below 125 percent of the state median family income, at the time of application and for the two previous years.

After the conditional scholarship has been awarded, the recipient will be eligible to receive the funds for up to 180 quarter credits, or the semester equivalent, or for up to five years, whichever comes first. The recipient will be required to:

Enroll in college within one year of high school graduation;
Maintain satisfactory academic progress; and
Take college-level math and science courses, entering a qualified math or science program no later than the end of the first term in which the student has junior level standing.

Obligations

A recipient of this conditional scholarship agrees to work full-time for three years in a qualified math or science occupation upon graduation with a bachelor's degree in a qualified math or science program or major. If the scholarship recipient is not able to meet the college or work obligations, the recipient will be expected to repay the scholarship.

Process

The College Success Foundation will be administering this program. The application materials are currently being developed and the qualified courses of study and qualified occupations are being determined. The first group of students who will be eligible to apply for this scholarship are the 2007-08 sophomores taking the tenth-grade WASL.

Updates will be posted on this web page.

For more information:

College Success Foundation
Toll-free 1-877-655-4097

Health Professional Loan Repayment and Scholarship

The Health Professional Loan Repayment and Scholarship programs were created to attract and retain health professionals to serve in critical shortage areas in Washington state.

The Loan Repayment program provides educational loan repayment assistance to licensed primary care health professionals.

The Scholarship program provides financial assistance to students training to become primary care health professionals.

Eligible Professions:

Physician (MD or DO) (Loan repayment also includes ND)
Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner
Licensed Nurse (any licensed level) (Scholarship also includes faculty)
Midwife (certified-nurse or licensed)
Pharmacist
Dentist
Dental Hygienist

In return for financial assistance, participants in both programs agree to provide primary care health care in rural or underserved urban areas with designated shortages for a minimum of three years.

Loan Repayment

Eligibility to Apply

You must:

Be employed or have a contract to begin employment at an eligible site. (To view the current site list click on the link shown below.)
Submit documentation of eligible outstanding educational debt (does not include Parent Plus loans or loans not in your name).
Be a United States citizen.
Provide primary care and not specialty care.
Sign a contract to serve for a minimum of three years or pay funds back at double penalty.

Award

The Loan Repayment program provides up to $25,000 per year for a minimum of three years. The service obligation period is based on full time (40 or more hours per week) employment and is prorated for less than full time. The award amount is based on your outstanding educational debt. There is an opportunity to apply for a fourth and fifth year for up to $35,000 per year based on remaining eligible debt.

The award period is divided into quarters. Credit is earned during the quarter and paid at the end of each quarter. Those funds must be fully and directly applied to the approved lender(s) identified in the award notification.

How to Apply

Loan Repayment applications are available to view and download. There are two cycles each year. The first deadline for 2008 funding is February 28, 2008. The second deadline is July 31, 2008.

Opportunity Grants

Background

In 2006, the Washington State Legislature appropriated $4 million to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to create the Opportunity Grant pilot program. The 10 pilot programs showed excellent results with 73 percent retention and approximately 843 low-income students participating in training for high-wage, high-demand career pathways.

In 2007, the Legislature expanded the Opportunity Grant program by $7.5 million for a total of $11.5 million per year for all 34 community and technical colleges. In 2007-08 the Opportunity Grant program expects to serve 2,000 full-time equivalent students (FTES) or approximately 4,000 full-time and part-time students.

Student Success

The goal of the Opportunity Grant is to help low-income adults reach the educational tipping point — and beyond — in high-wage, high-demand careers. Reaching the tipping point allows the least prepared individuals to increase job skills and knowledge through career pathways.

Information for Students

Eligible students may receive funds to cover tuition/mandatory fees for 45 credits and up to $1,000 for books and supplies for per year. Support services such as tutoring, career advising, college success classes, emergency child care and emergency transportation are also part of the Opportunity Grant program.

Interested students should contact the financial aid office of the community or technical college they would like to attend.

Passport to College Promise Scholarship

Created by the state of Washington, the Passport to College Promise Scholarship program encourages foster youth to prepare for and succeed in college.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible for this program if:

You spent at least one year in foster care after
your sixteenth birthday.
You emancipated from foster care on or after
January 1, 2007.
You will be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible college by the time you turn 21.
You are a Washington resident.
You are not pursuing a degree in theology.
You have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.

When you enroll in college, the financial aid office will confirm your eligibility with the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

How can the Passport to College Promise program help me?

You may receive the following:

Scholarships and other forms of financial aid that will help pay your tuition and living expenses for up to five years of college.
Guidance from college academic and financial aid counselors.
Assistance finding housing during school breaks and over the summer.
Special consideration for the State Need Grant and State Work Study financial aid programs.
Help finding student employment.

State Need Grant

The State Need Grant program helps the state’s lowest-income undergraduate students pursue degrees, hone skills, or retrain for new careers. Students can use the grants at public two-year and four-year colleges and universities and many accredited independent colleges, universities, and career schools in Washington.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

Have a family income of equal to or less than 70 percent of the state median (see chart below);
Be a Washington State resident;
Enroll as an undergraduate student at least half-time in an eligible program; and
Be pursuing a certificate, bachelor’s degree, or first associate degree; and
Not be pursuing a degree in theology.

Eligible students with family incomes between 51 percent and 65 percent of the median receive three-quarters of the maximum full-time grant. Eligible students with family incomes between 66 and 70 percent of the median receive half of the maximum full-time grant.

Washington Scholars

The Washington Scholars program recognizes the accomplishments of three high school students from each of the 49 state legislative districts. High school principals nominate the top 1 percent of the graduating class on the basis of academic achievement, leadership, and community service. A committee, composed of high school principals and college admissions staff, makes the final selection. Students can use the grants at any public or independent college or university in Washington.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

Be a Washington state resident
Graduate from a Washington public or private
high school
Enroll in an eligible college or university
Not be pursuing a degree in theology

Award

Students can receive scholarships equal to up to four years of full-time resident undergraduate tuition and fees.

Maximum awards vary by type of institution (2007-08)

Washington State University                        $6,290
Independent Colleges/Universities $6,290
University of Washington                              $6,157
Central Washington University                    $4,611
Eastern Washington University                   $4,485
The Evergreen State College                      $4,590
Western Washington University                  $4,568
Community/Technical Colleges                   $2,676

How to Apply

Contact your high school principal or guidance counselor for more information.

For more information contact:

Washington Scholars Program
Higher Education Coordinating Board
Phone: 360.753.7843

WAVE - Washington Award for Vocational Excellence

The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence honors three vocational students from each of the 49 state legislative districts for outstanding achievement in vocational/technical education.

High schools, skills centers, and community and technical colleges nominate students based on occupational proficiency, leadership, community activities, work experience, and other qualities. A committee, representing business, labor, education, the Legislature and citizens, makes the final selection. Students can use the grants at public two-year and four-year colleges and universities and accredited private colleges, universities and vocational schools in Washington.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

Be enrolled in a Washington State high school, skills center, or Public community or technical college at the time of application.
Graduate from high school with a minimum of 360 hours in a single, approved vocational program or be enrolled in a public community or technical college and have completed at least one year in an approved vocational program by June 30 of the award year.
Not have received a previous WAVE scholarship.
Not be pursuing a degree in theology.

Award

Students receive grants equal to up to two years of undergraduate resident tuition and fees.

Maximum awards vary by type of institution (2007-08)

How to Apply

Contact your school vocational administrator, WAVE coordinator or counselor for a nomination form.

Washington Award for Vocational Excellence Program

State Work Study

The State Work Study program helps students from low- and middle-income families earn money for college while gaining experience whenever possible in jobs related to their career goals. Students can use the grants at public two- and four-year colleges and universities and many accredited independent four-year colleges and universities.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

Have demonstrated financial need based on a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
Enroll at least half-time as an undergraduate or graduate student in an eligible program; and
Not be pursuing a degree in theology.

Award

Awards are based on the availability of funds and your determined financial need. While awards vary, students generally earn between $2,000 and $5,000 per year. Students work an average of 19 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours during school breaks.

How to Apply

You will automatically be considered for State Work Study when you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Contact your school financial aid office for more information.

State Financial Aid Information

Find state financial aid information for the specific state that you live in. Find contact information for your local federal aid office, and get details about specific federal aid programs in your area.

STATE OF WASHINGTON FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification Conditional Loan Scholarship

American Indian Endowed Scholarship

Washington College Bound Scholarship

Educational Opportunity Grant

GET Ready for Math and Science Conditional Scholarship Program

Health Professional Loan Repayment and Scholarship

Opportunity Grants

Passport to College Promise Scholarship

State Need Grant

Washington Scholars

WAVE - Washington Award for Vocational Excellence

Washington Award for Vocational Excellence Program

State Financial Aid Information

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